Penobscot Theatre Company to Present Northern Writes New Works Festival, 6/18-23

Penobscot Theatre Company will present its popular Northern Writes Festival from June 18th to June 23rd at the historic Bangor Opera House and at venues around downtown.

With a special eye towards the best new plays sprouting up right here in Maine, PTC's Northern Writes New Works festival continues to be a creative hotbed for new plays, nationwide. PTC received over 100 new plays from writers across the country. PTC's staff read them all and chose a select few to workshop via a series of developmental workshops and readings. 

"Audience participation is a key component of the Northern Writes development process," says Artistic Director, Bari Newport, "and in 38th Seasons, we have developed perceptive audiences who know a thing or two about how to help a writer! At Northern Writes audiences provide thoughtful feedback in structured environment. It couldn't be done without them!" 

This year, PTC has made significant changes to the festival, now in its 6th year. The process will take place the week of June 18 to the 23rd. Each play will have 3 readings, one at an off site venue, one at our home at the Bangor Opera House, and a final presentation of all of the plays of the festival on Saturday also at the Opera House. This was done to ensure that new work has the opportunity to truly be developed in addition to allowing multiple opportunities for audiences to hear the plays. A team of community actors and a director will be assigned to each piece and will rehearse and workshop it throughout the week. Following the read at the Bangor Opera House, we invite the playwright and audience to discuss the play and share feedback about the work.

In addition to these changes, audiences will notice the logo for Northern Writes now includes the phrase "new work." PTC is expanding the events surrounding Northern Writes in order to celebrate new performance work of all genres. 

Some exciting curated events include a new production from our friends at Her Majesty's Cabaret, a cd launch party with a very talented local band When Particles Collide, a new performance art piece in conjunction with the Power In Community Alliances organization, and a spoken word event featuring Indian Islanders Nick Bear and Ethan Dana with Allan Trott.  Additionally film makers AaronGaudet and Gita Pullapilly will discuss the process of writing and producing their new film, The Blue Potato and will screen their award-winning film THE WAY WE GET BY. 

Day Passes that give you access to any Northern Writes event that day will be $10 per day. Full Festival Passes have been reduced to $25 and get you into all events all week! Stay tuned for the official schedule of events. 

Contact the PTC box office at 942-3333 for more info or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.